LARKANA: Two minor children died from heat-stroke in a village in Johi taluka while students of class VI to VIII suffered great inconvenience sitting annual examinations in Larkana schools with temperature at 45 degrees Celsius and unannounced loadshedding of electricity on Wednesday.

Local Met office recorded 13 per cent humidity in the air and forecast the heat-wave coupled with hot and dry weather conditions would persist till May 16 in the Larkana district and its adjoining areas.

The district administration had set up cold water camps at different points in the city for the people while the heat-weave had forced people to remain indoors and affected trade activities in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts.

In the mountainous belt of Gaibidero in Qambar district, the mercury rose to 47 degrees Celsius and unscheduled power loadshedding continued from five to six hours at different intervals.

The students of classes VI to VIII appearing in annual examinations at Government Girls Higher Secondary School had to bear with electricity loadshedding which usually began from 9 am to 1 pm. They faced great inconvenience as the solar system fitted in the school had also developed faults, said sources.

Around 1300 students were taking examinations in the school. The annual examinations for classes IX and X were also scheduled to start from May 18 in the district and if the situation remained unchanged, it would be very difficult for the candidates to sit examinations amid such weather, said the school management.

The unannounced loadshedding has become a routine amid soaring temperatures in Larkana. Complaints of tripping and voltage fluctuation in different localities become common because of enhanced use of electricity for air conditioners.

Two children die from heat-stroke

DADU: Four-year-old Sassui Chandio and 10-year-old Dilbar Chandio died from heat-stroke in Simm village in Johi taluka on Wednesday.

Villagers said that the children had died due to high temperature and their inability to bring them to hospital in the town for treatment. There was no healthcare facility in the area, they said.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2022